Last night’s show at the Showbox was no random event. Inside the Showbox at the Market It was the showcase of several very excellent bands that thrive in our fair city. The band BF Mel plays with; Random Manor opened for the concert which also featured Gin Betty w/ Widower, and Pufferfish. Random Manor by Trisha Nerney Random Manor is my fave…I’m partial of course, but these guys are total pros. Being of the baby boomer generation, they have the music down and are so tight they could be a national act. They should be famous. Every song they did was catchy, had great lyrics, and good harmonies. The other bands were excellent too, but they were doing a style of music that I don’t understand..doesn’t mean it’s wrong, it’s just not of my generation and I don’t get it. I know I sound like my parents when I would listen to Led Zeppelin. That said, the show last night offered something for everyone. It was all ages, and the music ranged from very contemporary to classic Americana. …

If you can’t think of what you want to do to treat your sweetie this Valentine’s day, you might want to consider tickets to the 5th Avenue’s production of Memphis. It is both sweet and bittersweet. It is about the birth of rock n roll and the long and winding road of bringing this new sound to the public in the 1950’s. According to the playbill, the sound was originally started as black rhythm and blues, but with the racial tensions of the 50’s was played on the radio by artists such as Perry Como and Pat Boone so as to not threaten the white audiences. Any white disc jockey who played black artists was considered a “rebel”, and Memphis is the story of fictitious character and disc jockey Huey Calhoun (loosely based on Alan Freed, in my opinion) and his passion for the soulful music of the rhythm and blues artists he hears in the clubs in Memphis. And, most importantly his fearless efforts to promote these artists on the radio in the 1950’s. It was controversial, daring, and taboo! Re …

BF Mel is making his rock n roll debut at the Showbox Market soon. To kick off this huge event, he and I decided to do an extreme makeover on him. We were thinking he could rock the Mickey Rourke look that you may or may have not seen on the Golden Globes. I mean, Mel has that edgy rock rebel look, and even though he is not the WRESTLER, he is rugged. I’m not partial at all. Here’s what he’s getting for his style update and transformation from Boeing artist to rock guitarist. * Sun Glazing to organically activate hilights in his hair done by moi. * Hair shaping done by moi. * New clothes from Lucky Brands in Belle Square * Vest with attitude * earring We hit the Lucky Brands store in Bellevue Square and a very hip salesgal helped us with the transformation. I said to her “he’s playing rock n roll at the Showbox, what do you recommend?” She set us up with two pair of very cool jeans that fit his not so easy to fit body, she found a very cool vest…ON SALE..that gave him rock attitude, …

There are some things you know you just love. Like a great workout spot, a hot pair of shoes that can take you from day into night, , just the right leather coat, or that just right True Religion, Hudson, or Rock and Republic jeans. …

I have no reservations when it comes to going out to hear live music. I love it, especially when it’s sultry and saxxy. New to the Bellevue El Gaucho are jazz artists: Junie Tonkin on piano (Sun through Thu, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.) And on the weekend: The Trish Hatley Trio (Fri and Sat., 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.) Trish Hatley delivers a variety of romantic jazz standards such as “So Many Stars” by Sergio Mendez. She has a sexy voice with sizzling twist to the music. …

Everyone wants to make business and social connections, it’s just human nature and we all do it. There are several avenues to get your message and business offerings out to the people. Do you have a service to offer? Do you know a someone who could use another someone’s skills and make that connection for them? It’s a “win-win”. Right here, on the Eastside you can do just that with Eastside Entrepenuers a local social networking site that features a website, “Facebook” style social site for members..FREE…and events on the Eastside to meet with other local biz people. It’s all headed up by Bellevue native Joe Kennedy. Joe Kennedy He also publishes the Eastside Business paper..FREE to peeps who can pick it up at local businesses…Joe…if you have links send them to me.. These events are usually FREE and you buy your own drink and food..some have those wonderful items provided by sponsors ENJOY and mingle. …

Just when I thought we had all the coolest restaurants opening up in Bellevue in the near future, Chef Dan Thiessen of the 0/8 Seafood Grill announced that he’s opening up STIR Martini and Raw Bar in the newly remodeled Hyatt building on Bellevue Way. “The talent and business force behind the Eastside’s acclaimed 0/8 Seafood Grill and Twisted Cork Wine Bar, Chef/Owner Dan Thiessen and Owner Matt Bomberger have penned a deal to open a new restaurant concept in downtown Bellevue, Stir Martini & Raw Bar. Stir is slated to open end of July 2009 to coincide with the completion of the new tower at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue. The restaurant and bar will be located in a former retail space on the first floor of Bellevue Place in the Winter Garden just off the main hotel lobby.” The space will offer seating for 175 including an outdoor patio for dining al fresco. The menu will offer the region’s finest seafood with customized, state-of-the-art cocktail mixology. …

The month of February is just around the corner, and it’s a good thing as Martha Stewart would say. I just love, love, love the hearts and flowers related to Valentine’s Day, the red everywhere, and the pink hearts and roses. It’s a girly thing. With the arrival of February comes some anticipation of Spring..hey it stays light out till 4:45 PM! The potted plants will be out soon, and the fashion shows and luncheons start to rear their pretty heads. Get your sexy back after a long Winter. Check out the fashions, the jewelry, and the fragrance that the upcoming events have to offer: Macy’s Go Red Specials: As a national sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement, Macy’s is ramping up for February in celebration of American Heart Month. Macy’s will invite customers to support the movement with special weekend-long savings in honor of National Wear Red Day on February 6. Beginning on Wednesday, February 4, through Sunday, February 8, Macy’s will offer an extra 2 …